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Fela Kuti, Who Used ‘Music As Weapon’, Honoured In Paris

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The son of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti spoke of his father’s bravery in using “music as a weapon” ahead of an immersive exhibition opening at the Paris Philharmonic on Thursday.

“Instead of picking up a gun, music was the only tool he had. It was a weapon to use against authority, against colonisation and corrupt African governments,” said Femi Kuti, 60, himself a hugely successful musician.

The Paris Philharmonic is paying homage to Fela Kuti by recreating the atmosphere of his sweaty, politically-charged nightclub in Nigeria, The Shrine, which became a beacon for global stars in the 1970s including Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney.

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Kuti died from AIDS complications in 1997, but his pioneering work remains as potent as ever, frequently cited by today’s stars such as or Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers, or Beyonce and Jay-Z who sampled his hit “Zombie” on “Homecoming Live”.

“I’m not surprised. Great people like Miles Davis already talked about Fela,” said Femi Kuti of his father’s continued popularity. “Afrobeat was the basic element of hip-hop, it’s where hip-hop got its sauce from.”

Fela’s politics have also remained potent.

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READ ALSO: SCI Nigeria calls for eradication of child marriage

 

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“When we started working on this exhibition project, the Black Lives Matter movement emerged and Fela’s fight in the 70s and 80s found resonance there,” said Alexandre Girard-Muscagorry, one of the curators of the immersive exhibition.

Kuti was harassed throughout much of his life by the military authorities in Nigeria for his relentless criticism of their corruption and violent misrule.

There was a particularly vicious reaction after he refused to take part in an official music festival in 1977, instead organising a parallel event that became much more popular and attracted international stars including Stevie Wonder.

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– ‘Out of Africa’ –
Soldiers responded to his counter-festival by burning down his home and pushing his mother out of a first-floor window, causing injuries which led to her death a year later, Femi Kuti said.

“He was a voice for the voiceless, the only opponent who was brave enough to tackle the hardcore military dictators at that time and he paid a very high price,” said Femi Kuti.

But it was ultimately the genius of his music that made him so popular, creating something entirely new with its mix of free-jazz, soul, funk and Yoruba.

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McCartney was one of many inspired to come to The Shrine in Lagos, where he recorded his album “Band on the Run”.

“Fela came out of Africa with this incredible sound that caught the ears of everybody,” said his son.

“To use this music as a political weapon and message — that caught the attention of the world and especially France, maybe because of the connection to its own rebellions.”

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“I Have Social Anxiety” — BBNaija Housemate Dede Opens Up Amid Criticism

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Big Brother Naija Season 10 housemate, Dede, has revealed her struggle with social anxiety following criticisms from fellow contestants who described her as a “snub.”

Dede’s reserved nature has sparked controversy in the house, especially her refusal to hug male housemates, which some interpreted as unfriendly or aloof.

In a candid conversation with fellow housemate Koyin, Dede opened up about her mental health challenge.

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“Do you have social anxiety?” she asked Koyin.

Koyin replied, “No, do you?”

“Yes, I do,” Dede answered.

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Koyin then reassured her not to be overly concerned about how others perceive her, adding that “such is life.”

During her first diary session with Biggie, Dede had described herself as an introvert who “doesn’t like people.” She also offered clarity on her decision not to hug other housemates, saying it stemmed from the fact that she didn’t know them before the show.

Dede’s admission has since sparked conversations on social media about mental health awareness and the importance of respecting personal boundaries.

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“Davido Is Nigeria’s Most Influential – Manager Asa Asika Insists”

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Asa Asika, manager of Afrobeats superstar Davido, has declared that the singer is the most influential person in Nigeria.

Speaking during a recent appearance on the Zeph podcast, the renowned talent manager stood by his belief, despite ongoing debates and differing opinions in the entertainment industry and among fans.

“Davido is mad influential. I don’t care what anybody says, I think Davido is the most influential person in Nigeria. I have seen it firsthand,” Asika said.

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Davido, the head of DMW (Davido Music Worldwide), is currently the most followed Nigerian across major social media platforms, a metric often cited by fans to support claims of his dominance in the digital space.

However, the debate over who holds the most real-world and online influence among Nigeria’s top music exports—Davido, Wizkid, and Burna Boy—has remained a hot topic for years, with each artiste commanding a fiercely loyal fanbase.

Asika’s statement is expected to reignite the conversation, particularly among fans of the three Afrobeats giants.

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“UK Men Are Too Broke for Me” – Bobrisky Lashes Out on Instagram

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Controversial social media personality, Okunyele Idris Olarenwaju, popularly known as Bobrisky, has sparked reactions online after criticising men in the United Kingdom over their lifestyle and financial status.

In a recent Instagram post, Bobrisky described UK men as “too broke” for his taste, noting that their tendency to share apartments and split bills is far from impressive.

“By the way, UK men are too broke, avoid them,” he wrote.
“They share apartments, they share bills among themselves, ewwww.”

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The popular influencer went further to outline the standards he expects from any potential suitor, insisting that they must exude luxury and class, particularly through their choice of fashion and accessories.

“Before any UK guy can approach me, please come correct. The least wristwatch I want to see you wear is Presidential Rolex and a designer’s slippers,” he added.
“If me as a girl can rock Presidential Rolex, why can’t you?”

The post has since generated mixed reactions on social media, with fans and critics weighing in on Bobrisky’s high-end preferences and controversial take on UK men.

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